Serato DJ Pro General Discussion

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 Serato DJ Pro General Discussion
Vestax VCI-300 MKIi Replacement Boards :(
Talk about Serato DJ Pro, expansion packs and supported hardware

Vestax VCI-300 MKIi Replacement Boards :(

djslik 8:44 PM - 6 April, 2011
I bought a Vestax VCI-300 MKII in August of 2010. The unit failed during a firmware upgrade. After speaking with Vestax USA I found out that since it was bought in Japan the unit will not be covered in America. My 2 options are Send it to Japan or send it an authorized Vestax Service Center and buy a replacement board. I have contacted Japan through email but have not had any response. The local US Vestax office does not have direct communication with Japan apparently. The replacement board is about $423.00. I'm just pissed that I have to shell out $423.00 to get this fixed. I would rather send to Japan and get it repaired under warranty but no one at Vestax has been able to get me a ship to address and RMA# so I can return the unit.

I used to be a lifelong Vestax Supporter since the 90's this experience has really soured my taste on the company. This has been the biggest nightmare of a warranty issue that I have ever dealt with and I just want to give everyone a heads up if they are considering purchasing the VCI-300 MKII units. They work great when they work. This wouldn't be an issue if I bought in the US, but I didn't. I know other DJ's out there travel as well so just keep their warranty policies in mind. Also keep in mind before purchasing that if your unit fails in a similar fashion outside of warranty then you might be out $423.00.
thebulge 11:36 PM - 6 April, 2011
Ugh. Lame. That's the risk you take when you "grey import". You save the $$$ but usually aren't covered by warranty. Keep and eye out on ebay for parts, or a unit with a different fault. Good luck.
djslik 11:48 PM - 6 April, 2011
I checked on shipping back to Japan and it might cost the same to ship back and forth to Japan as it would to fix it here locally. Yea problem is I bought the unit while I was on Vacation in Japan. It hadn't come out in the US yet so I decided to go for it. Not a good choice now that I think about it. I have never run into an international warranty issue before this so yea it's my fault for buying in Japan I guess. Either way just a heads up for any other current or potential VCI owners. DON'T do the firmware upgrades unless you want to send your unit in for repair or pay for a new board. Even the guys at Vestax told me to not do the upgrades from now on just to be safe. If it works then leave it alone and just update your ITCH Software.

I swear I'm giving up on ITCH and sticking with SSL. I have had my SSL box for at least 4 years and it still runs just fine. I've had 1200's since 96, my Vextax 06 since 96, my Pioneer 909 since like 2006, and none of them have givin me problems. I've had my VCI-300 MKII for like 6 months and it craps out on me. Problem is there isn't any other controller that fits in my backpack that I like. The Numark stuff is too big, the S4 is too big, the Pioneer stuff is too big. If I want to pack that much stuff then my tables are coming with me.
Edecarlo 7:02 AM - 15 May, 2011
im sorry about your problem, i have the same fucking problem.... =( but im from Mexico, am fucking angry because there no solutions..... i need my vci back to work right now FUCK !!
Edecarlo 7:02 AM - 15 May, 2011
im sorry about your problem, i have the same fucking problem.... =( but im from Mexico, am fucking angry because there no solutions..... i need my vci back to work right now FUCK !!
DJ Frank Labate 4:17 PM - 15 May, 2011
Although the VCI-300 is built really solid I feel like its very prone to damage or defectiveness. I bought a vci-300 in september and am currently on my second unit which has literally been at a repair center for longer than it has been at home with me. I had all my faders crap out for literally no reason and one platter still makes an annoying squeek when spun which the repair center wasnt able to repair. From what i'm seeing a lot of these units (I understand that some work perfectly for years which they should) are crapping out within a few months.
JDforKing 5:32 PM - 15 May, 2011
I was in the same boat. (as far as a defective unit goes) I had a vci 300 and after 10 months the touch sensitive platter started to give me problems. sold it for parts ended up getting a mk2. Had it for 1 month same problem came about. Ended up getting three different units and decided to just get my refund. I'm not going to lie, when its working the vci is unmatched ( as far as quality and portability goes) but it isn't up to par when it comes to long term reliability.
Fyah emblem 4:10 AM - 7 June, 2012
1 month in di vci crapped out on me
Panotaker 7:48 PM - 7 June, 2012
Just so you know, if you buy anything in one country from any manufacturer, and take it to another country, chances are, it won't be covered under warranty in that country. You would need to send it back to the original country you bought it from, and you will most likely pay for shipping both ways. This is not Vestax policy alone, it is the policy of just about every manufacturer out there. This mostly happens the other way around. People come to the USA and buy stuff and take it back to their home country, then when it breaks, they have no warranty in their home country. Sometimes you can save a lot of money if you do this, as long as it never breaks, but if it breaks, you are usually screwed. Most manufactures won't even fix a grey product even when you offer to pay for the repairs. Sorry you had problems with your VCI-300mk2, mine has been working perfect since I have had it.